What do you think of this?

[Miami Vice 2]

I am growing more and more frustrated and I think dealing with this lawyer has gotten me falling deeper and deeper into depression. Its been four months already since we have signed contract with this Lawyer and the process has not been started yet. Their list of requirements is getting longer and longer. This is the last message she has sent me (Her Secretary).

"As I explained to Don we need you to mail in your CIS photos. I also explained to him that we need you to send in proof of you plans to marry. For example you can send in receipts for rings, flowers, dress, confirmation receipts of a chapel or church, reception hall, restaurant , honeymoon reservations etc. And yes please do send me a copy of the invitation. Plans should be made about 9 months out, and you should only make plans that can be canceled or rescheduled in case of a delay or faster processing times.

I received a few pictures from Don however, I will need you to send me a few more. They should be clear shots of the both of you together and a few of both of you with family. Label the pictures with a date, place, and who is in the picture. You can scan and e-mail these pictures.

Also, you should start to send in the affidavits from people who can attest to your relationship."

I dont know if some of the requirements she said in her email is even necessary for K1 process.....

[jacksonville 4]

when i first started compiling papers for our K-1 visa, i read the procedures at fianceevisaservices.com and USCIS.gov websites. download form I-129F and instructions from the USCIS.gov website. all the requirements are there. very few needed a lawyer to assist them. there is a post ahead of you today on this site of an experience of another with a lawyer whom he paid but lawyer found out wasnt a real lawyer. try doing it yourself. if you have problems, post it on this site and u sure will get help.

[TBoneTX 46,317]

Four months?! Dump the lawyer. Unless there are red flags surrounding your relationship, front-loading of an I-129F petition should NOT be necessary for a successful visa interview at a powderpuff embassy like Manila.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Well, you don't really need a lawyer unless you guys have some kind of issue. Don't make wedding plans unless the visa is in your hands. Seriously.

[Miami Vice 2]

Yes its been four months with this one. I would want to start the process on my own now, but signed a non refundable contract. I am currently in Canada under working visa, I dont think our situation is that tricky, but we thought hiring a lawyer would make things much easier... Turns out quite the opposite...

[TBoneTX 46,317]

Yes its been four months with this one. I would want to start the process on my own now, but signed a non refundable contract. I am currently in Canada under working visa, I dont think our situation is that tricky, but we thought hiring a lawyer would make things much easier... Turns out quite the opposite...

Then they're asking for materials that aren't necessary for YOUR process. Give an ultimatum: File now with what they have, or you'll file a complaint with the appropriate State Bar Association.

[Wally G! 58]

Wow Wow You don't need a lawyer for the visa process . Unless there is some kind of extreme issue in either of your lives. All you need to do is follow the K-1 visa guide here for FREE !!

Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a K-1 Visa for your Foreign Fiance(e)

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

If you have any questions. VJ is full of experienced and knowledgable members that will help you along the way for FREE!! We are all on this Journey and understand what the process is. We are willing and ready to help anyone with questions.

If you don't have a complicated history for either of you and have not paid that lawyer. Dump the lawyer fast and come to VJ . We will help get you going and through the K-1 visa process for FREE !!!

[Wally G! 58]

Yes its been four months with this one. I would want to start the process on my own now, but signed a non refundable contract. I am currently in Canada under working visa, I dont think our situation is that tricky, but we thought hiring a lawyer would make things much easier... Turns out quite the opposite...

Look at the K-1 Visa Guide. check to make sure you have all that is list on the guide. If you have all the documents list, proof of relationship, affidavit of support etc... Then you need to put pressure on them to get that package out the door into the mail.

Does the lawyer fee include from beginning to end of the process K-1 (Petition - AOS)?

[dukeandduchess 141]

How much is this "non-refundable contract" worth? They need to file as soon as they have the required documents. Check out the K1 guide here on visajourney. If they have all of the forms/items listed send them a link to this website and push them to file. Hopefully they are doing it right....

[Miami Vice 2]

@Duke: It is $1575.

@Wally: Yes it is. Its from K1 to AOS.

I know though that following VJ's advice would be much better, but I still need to convince my fiance on why bypassing the lawyer at initial stage would be much better.

@TBoneTX: I wonder if its possible to file a complaint .

[Wally G! 58]

@Duke: It is $1575.

@Wally: Yes it is. Its from K1 to AOS.

$1575 :bonk: :o

Let see now

Lawyer Fee: $1575 + Petition Fee: $340 +

(Beneficiaries) Visa Application Fee: $350 +

Medical Fee: $216 +

CFO $15 +

Misc Fees (Shipping Documents, transportation, etc..) $125 low figure +

Marriage/Marriage Certificate (Civil) $50 +

AOS Filing Fee $1070.

Total $3,740. Without lawyer fee -$1,575: $2,166.

This is just an estimate but the fees are set. No changing those numbers. Wow!! I wish you had found out about VJ before going to that lawyer.

Lawyer Processing time so far: 4 months :clock: :clock:

DIY: 30 days Max!!! Sign send and delivered!!

I know though that following VJ's advice would be much better, but I still need to convince my fiance on why bypassing the lawyer at initial stage would be much better.

Even if you convince your fiance . You already paid the lawyer . You would lose that money if you left now with out petition and process completed. I can see it now. That lawyer just go a paycheck for doing nothing . You will be push and call to make that lawyer work :ranting: . Giving them advice and information on the visa process.

[Kevin&Lenith 36]

personally I would walk into that lawyers office with a copy of some of the time lines here, and a copy of k1- requirements, and demand action, or you will file a calim with the appropriate board of review. Obviously after reading visa journey you must have noticed that the avg turn around time is 6 months (from i-129 to poe). All that info about weddings plans etc , are a bunch of #######, all that is needed is letters of intent to marry. Anyway I could go on and on, but ultimately it is up to you to either get in his face, and demand a refund or action.

$1575 :bonk: :o

Let see now

Lawyer Fee: $1575 + Petition Fee: $340 +

(Beneficiaries) Visa Application Fee: $350 +

Medical Fee: $216 +

CFO $15 +

Misc Fees (Shipping Documents, transportation, etc..) $125 low figure +

Marriage/Marriage Certificate (Civil) $50 +

AOS Filing Fee $1070.

Total $3,740. Without lawyer fee -$1,575: $2,166.

This is just an estimate but the fees are set. No changing those numbers. Wow!! I wish you had found out about VJ before going to that lawyer.

Lawyer Processing time so far: 4 months :clock: :clock:

DIY: 30 days Max!!! Sign send and delivered!!

Even if you convince your fiance . You already paid the lawyer . You would lose that money if you left now with out petition and process completed. I can see it now. That lawyer just go a paycheck for doing nothing . You will be push and call to make that lawyer work :ranting: . Giving them advice and information on the visa process.

[Hank_ 9,174]

There is a reason the fee was non-refundable, CTA so when you learn they are worthless and you drop them they still get a payday.

What worries me if they are this clueless about the requirements how bad will they screw things up when they actually file your petition causing an RFE?

Edited February 7, 2012 by Hank_Amy

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Non-refundable contracts are not bulletproof.

If the party receiving payment fails to fulfill their side of the deal then you can sue them for the fees to be refunded.

How do you prove they didn't do their job? Simple actually...

File the I-129f per the guides here (not including all of the extra ####### the Lawyer is asking for). FWIW, as simple "Letter of Intent" is all that's really needed to prove intent to marry.

Once you have your NOA-2 in hand you've proved that he didn't do the job you hired him for.

You can give the lawyer 2 options, issue your refund or file a complaint with the Bar and sue them for the fees.

[AllisonandAlex 0]

that is horrible I put my F-129 together by myself in a week, with not RFE's and a quick Noa2

im sorry you signed that contract. let me know if i can help you do it yourself